For horses like mine, whose lives have been void of the luxury of cool, dark stalls with AC and fans blowing on them all the time, summers can be the pits.
I'll go over just a few tips I like to use when keeping horses during the summer, whether they are in stalls or paddocks.
1. Water is probably the most important source a horse(hey, it rhymes!) can have. The water a horse drinks when in the heat and sun goes to cooling and evaporating through their skin. So its best to keep a large tank of water(preferably out of the sun) in easy access. It's debatable what the "best" way to water horses is. Some like automatic tanks that fill when the horse's nose pushes a "paddle" and releases water, though some horses don't know how to activate this, so if you use one like this, show them first by pushing the paddle and filling it half way, so when they take a sip, their lips press it.
Also, test the water every so often, to make sure that the hose or pipe getting water to it is not in the sun-sometimes when a hose lays in the sun, the water from it can scald us. Imagine what it'd be like if you drank it!
If you keep a big tank like I do, make sure you keep it with constant and cool water. If you find algae or other "ick" on the bottom of the tank, scrub it off! Would you want to drink from that?
2. Shade is of course important. If a horse is out in the sun, it can develop heat stroke or get dehydrated more easily than if provided a piece of shade.
Even if you just set up a simple(temporary) "barn" by strapping a tarp between two trees or two steady poles. (Make sure you desensitize your horse before you put it up, or they may not want to use it)
Even a couple of blankets stacked together would work for a few days while you fashion something more useful.
3. Baths are useful ways to keep horses cool and clean. Try to keep them in the shade while they dry because the hot sun will heat the water and "cook" the horse(Not literally, but it will heat them). Always use a sweat scraper or towel to get the excess water off.
If you don't have a hose handy, a cool bucket of clean water and a sponge will suffice. Just sponge the water on, and sponge the water off!
4. Mister's and Fans are great ways to keep horses cool without having to bath them. Although I've never owned a mister, I've heard wonderful things about them.
5. Ice cubes. I feed my horses ice cubes when its hot, or I put a tray of cubes in their water to keep it cool. I'll even rub an ice cube or two over their steamy backs.
6. Always cool them out after a ride. Bathing them in cool water, wiping them dry and walking them slowly until they are dry are the best ways to keep them going and feeling fresh.
7. Ride later in the day to avoid heat stroke or sunburning. I find I like evenings better, since there's plenty of light and it just gets cooler as you ride. Some like to get up at oh-dark-hundred and get out then, but your time is limited as it gets hotter. But who rides for six hours anyways?
8. Avoid sunburn's by putting sun lotion made for horses on their backs and any white patches on them, which burn easily.
9. Fly masks are like sunglasses for humans. Plus it keeps those pesky flies out of their eyes! (I'm doing it again..Rhyming...)
10. Moving during the heat is another option if you are so financially inclined. Moving them to a place with good ventilation, shade and the right care is a way to have the horses best interest at heart.
Even if it's just a friends house that is well equipped for summer, be prepared to pay a fee. Establish this beforehand so you don't get the bill and keel over, leaving your horse there to rack up the fee's. (I'm joking)
But be sure that if you do move them, your horse is vaccinated and the place you are taking them is reputable.
No comments:
Post a Comment